Manual dexterity game

ABSTRACT

A manual dexterity game device in which randomly positioned target pieces are picked up by a pickup member slidingly suspended on a slack length of string connecting the end extremities of a pair of wands which are intricately, pivotably and rotatably mounted on a game board in position for controlled manipulation of the player. In a preferred embodiment, the player controls two interdependent pivotably rotating wands mounted one on the other with each hand and, by so doing, moves the game pickup member on the string into pickup contact with the randomly positioned game piece and locates it in a preselected target receptacle.

United States Patent Burns I 1March 20, 1973 [54] MANUAL DEXTERITY GAME[76] Inventor: Howard M. Burns, 344 E. Hardin jggggi i fg rsgr gi fg g fit l St., F1ndlay,0h1o 45840 Attorney paul F Sum P [22] Filed: Oct. 18,1971 211 App]. No.: 189,815 [57] ABSTRACT A manual dexterity game devicein which randomly positioned target pieces are picked up by a pickup[52] "273/1 35/22 25/ 3 member slidingly suspended on a slack length ofstring connecting the end extremities of a pair of wands [51] Int. Cl...A6.1b 5/ld which are intricately pivotably and rotatably mounted [58]held of sen-W273 1 l 46/39 on a game board in position for controlledmanipula- 35/22 tion of the player. In a preferred embodiment, theplayer controls two interdependent pivotably rotating [56] ReferencesC'ted wands mounted one on the other with each hand and, UNITED STATESPATENTS by so doing, moves the game pickup member on the string intopickup contact with the randomly posi- 2,l76,725 10/1939 Shelton..273/100 tioned game piece and locates it in a preselected tar-2,454,478 11/1948 Roberts ..273/l R X t e e tacle 2,985,451 5/1961 Sims..273/1 R 3,572,703 3/1971 Greene ..273/1 E 6 Claims, 7 Drawing FiguresPATENTEDHARZOIQH SHEET 10F 2 FIG). 2

INVENTOR.

.PATENTEUHARZOIQYS SHEET 2 OF 2 w OI JON

INVENTOR. BY HOWARD M. BURNS y w MM; 7;) K)

MANUAL DEXTERITY GAME The present invention relates to a game whichembodies features of entertainment and, as well, features designed totest and improve the manual dexterity, skill and judgment of the player.The game is best understood by a preliminary reference to FIG. 1 of thedrawings wherein it can be seen that the player or operator, whose handsare shown in dotted outline, carefully manipulates, with his thumb andfirst two fingers of both hands, a pair of delicately balanced wands insuch manner as to control the location and elevation of a pickup deviceover a game board on which is situated object pieces to be picked up andlocated on target pedestals. The rotation of the wands and the pivotingof the wands will control the lateral and vertical movement of thepickup member and, as well, the elevation thereof in order that it maybe moved in appropriate fashion as will accomplish the purpose; namely,picking up, in individual sequential fashion, a plurality of objectpieces which are then carefully located over a receiver pedestal andcarefully lowered therein. Success is measured by the elapsed time whichit takes the player to complete the game; that is, picking up all of thepieces and locating them in the desired fashion. Time is measured by theillustrated sand hourglass located in the corner.

The game can be played in solitary fashion by a single player or it canbe played by any plurality of players who, in turn, measure their skillagainst the elapsed time. A full version of the game involves picking upand locating all of the object pieces, of which there are eightillustrated, on the designated target pedestals. In a briefer version,the game may feature any smaller number of target pieces selected forcompletion. In a more devious version, particular object pieces may bedesignated for particular target pedestals as by color code, number orthe like. In a still more devious embodiment, an enlarged board may beprovided with an additional set of wands for a second player. The secondset of wands would be connected by a thread which is threaded to thesame pickup piece. In this more devious and complicated version, the twooperators would have to cooperatively manipulate their fingers andmanual movements as to accomplish the proper positioning of the pickupmember and the lowering and raising thereof to accomplish the movementof the object pieces from their random disposition to the targetpedestals.

With the foregoing introduction, it may be stated to be a general objectof the present invention to provide a game device which is not onlyentertaining but challenging for the player.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a game deviceor apparatus which is designed to test the manual dexterity, thepatience, the concentration and the judgment of the player by combiningelements in the form of hand manipulable wand-controlled or pickupdevices which provide a means for employing his own skill inmanipulating these elements designed by their combined constructionalfeatures to permit pickup engagement of random object pieces andmovement thereof in a desired manner from one location to a targetregion.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such agame apparatus which is of relatively simple construction involving noexotic or intricate pieces or materials of construction such that thegame can be manufactured or fabricated in a manner as does not involveconsiderable expense, thereby being producible at relatively low cost.

The foregoing and, as well, other objects of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the annexed sheets of drawing onwhich there are illustrated several embodiments of the invention forpurposes of illustration only.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus shown in its entiretyfrom a vantage point above and as seen by an observer watching the gamebeing played by a player whose hands are shown in operative engagementwith the elements of the game;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the game device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the same game apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic, vertical, sectional view of one portionof the game apparatus, particularly through one of the plurality oftarget pegs which are mounted in the principal game board;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one form of pickup piece or element shownin engaging relationship with an object piece or game piece;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view ofa game or object piece representing avariant embodiment thereof which may be readily employed in the game ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pickup member in accordance with avariant embodiment and specifically for use with the object piece ofFIG. 6.

Viewed most basically, the present invention envisions a skill-measuringgame apparatus in which the player/operator attempts to pick up insequence and move to a predetermined target a plurality of object piecesand place them onto a target receiver or pedestal employing a pickupdevice suspended on a string or thread suspended between a pair of wandsmounted universally on a second pair of rods, all being manipulated bythe fingers of the player to control the spatial location and elevationof the pickup member; the success as measured against time being thefactor gauging the relative skill of a single player or plurality ofplayers.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, there is illustrated inFIG. 1 a game board 11 of generally rectangular plan configurationbounded by spaced parallel edges 12 and 13 defining the narrowestdimension of the board and spaced parallel edges 14 and I5 defining thelongest dimension of the rectangular board. A pair of posts 17 and 18are respectively mounted in appropriate holes, allowing insertion andremoval but not rotation of the posts in corners determined respectivelyby the intersection of edges 13 and I5 and 13 and 114. The posts eachdefine an inverted L, with the horizontal legs 17a and 18a beinggenerally parallel with the planar top surface 11a of the board. As canbe seen, the posts support identical wand structures so the descriptionwill primarily be confined to the right-hand structure on post 17.Pivotably mounted on the top side of leg 17a is an oarlock member 19which has pivotably pinned therein a linear wand 20 comprising anelongate principal segment 20a extending principally on one side of theoarlock, a vertical leg 20b extending downwardly on the other side ofthe oarlock and a rearwardly offset segment 20c parallel with respect to20a. The segment 20a includes a plurality of recessed bores or holes 20dalong its length. Rotatably mounted in one of the holes is an oarlockmember 22 having pivotably pinned therein in oar fashion a wand 24having a principal horizontal leg segment 24a and a normally dependinglyconnected leg 24b at one extremity and terminating in a flared end 240.The wand 20, by reason of the oarlock connection 19 to post 17, is freeto pivot or rotate essentially universally. Similarly, the wand 24, byreason of the pin oarlock connection 22, is free, particularly at itsendextremity 24a, to be pivoted up and down or rotated laterally andsimultaneously. Reference numeral 26 identifies in dotted outline theright hand of a user/player. Reference numeral 27 identifies in dottedoutline the left hand of the user/player in proximity to an identicalarray of wands, oarlock members and the like. Thus, the referencenumeral 29 identifies an oarlock on the left-hand setup similar to theoarlock 19. Similarly, reference numeral 30 identifies the primary wandcorresponding to wand 20, while reference numeral 34 identifies thesecondary wand rotatably and pivotably mounted in wand 30 via oarlock32. Suspended between the end extremities of wands 24 and 34 is a lengthof string or thread 40 on which is free to slide a pickup claw device42. Mounted in the corner defined by edges 12 and is a sand glass timerT mounted in a suitably provided hole. Circle 44 defines a zone orregion of the playing board on which is randomly located a plurality ofobject pieces or pegs 45, only one of which is shown within the zone 44.Located generally about and outside the circle 44 are eight generallyequal spaced upstanding removable object peg receiver pedestals 47;seven of which, as shown in FIG. 1, have releasably carried thereinobject pegs 45. The object peg 45 is composed of a spherical top 45a anda depending peg portion 45b designed to fit into the axial hole 47a(FIG. 2) in the upper end of receiver pedestal 47.

The manipulation of the right hand is fairly well understood from aviewing of FIG. 1. Thus, the right hand is situated on the wand parts insuch fashion that the thumb rests on the leg c of wand 20 with the forepart resting supportingly and guidingly against the leg 20b. Thedownwardly projecting leg 24b of wand '24 is in a sense grasped betweenthe forefinger and the adjacent finger of the same hand with the forepads of the fingers resting on the flared collar region 24c. The leg 24bcan be grasped, depending upon the size of the hand of the user,anywhere along the length of the first two fingers. For purposes ofillustration, reference may be here made to FIG. 1, wherein it can beseen that the same vertically depending leg 34b of left-hand wand 34 andits flared end 34c is somewhat further inbetween the two fingers of theleft hand involved. The position of the thumbs and the fingers thus canbe modified slightly to the convenience and comfort of the player which,it may be noted parenthetically, will possibly change from time to timeas operator skill and technique improves. In any event, to conduct thegame, the operator with his fingers and hands somewhat in the positionof FIG. 1, as determined through trial and error, exerts downwardpressure on the thumbs, causing the wands 20 and 30 to pivot about theoarlocks 19 and 29 which serve as a fulcrum point, raising the oppositeextremities 20a and 30a. It will be appreciated that the wands 20 and 30can thus be pivoted up and down and at the same time can be moved orpivoted about the pin connection of the oarlocks l9 and 29 whereupon theends may subscribe an arc across and above the playing board. Nowsimultaneously, the operator by control of his forefinger and adjacentfinger in grasping relationship with the leg 24b of wand 24 (and leg34b) can move wands 24 and 34 independently or simultaneously in apivoting action about the respective oarlocks 22 and 32 wherebyappropriate muscle control and finger manipulation causes wands 24 and34 to be moved in such fashion as to describe an arc across and abovethe board. With each action or movement of a given one of the wand pairs20-24 and 30-34, there will be a corresponding change in the distanceand angle relationship between the end extremities of the wands 24 and34 to which the thread or string 40 is connected. As a consequence ofany such motion, accordingly, the weighted pickup claw is free to moveslidingly along the thread or string 40. The object of the game, ofcourse, is to so control the pickup claw 42 by appropriate dexterous andcontrolled manipulation of the wands by simultaneous and coordinatedmovement of the thumb and fingers of each or both hands so that thepickup claw will releasably embrace the spherical end 45a of object peg45. When thus embraced, the object piece is picked up and then carefullymoved over a preselected hole (such as the hole 47a in receiver pedestal47) again by dexterous and controlled manipulation of the wands. Furthermanipulation guides the peg leg 45b down into the hole to the positionof FIG. 4. The pickup claw 42 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 is best describedas a three-pronged claw which is designed in relationship to thecircumference of the spherical end of object peg 45 as to permit thespherical head 45a to pass between any two of the three prongs if theclaw and the spherical head 45a are in the relative horizontal positiongenerally shown in dotted outline in FIG. 4. Once this position isachieved, the pickup claw is moved upwardly by appropriate manipulationof the wand, allowing the object piece to move downwardly within theconfines of the claw as shown in solid line in FIG. 4. The weight of thedepending peg 45b will assist in the ultimate positioning of the objectpiece in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 4 such that, upon appropriatemanipulation of the wands and the string, the claw 42 can be moved overto allow the peg 45b to descend into the hole 47a of receiver pedestal47. At this point, the operator must still carefully control the claw 42such that its rate of descent is slow, permitting axial penetration ofthe peg 45b into the hole 47a and then careful disengagement of the peghead 45a by the claw by a continued descending movement of the clawuntil the claw and ball head occupy the dotted position shown in FIG. 4whereupon lateral movement of the claw in just any one of threedirections will find the claw legs passing around the ball rather thanstriking same which might otherwise cause unseating of the object pegfrom the pedestal.

In one version of play, all of the object pegs are located in randomfashion within the field defined by circular line 44. The sand glasstimer T is inverted to commence play and the operator begins to attemptto manipulate the wands, string and pickup claw in such fashion that anobject peg can be properly snared or engaged and thence moved by furtherappropriate manipulation of the parts to a position directly above theobject peg receiver studs. There again, careful manipulation of thefinger/thumb controlled wands will allow the object piece to be loweredonto the receiver pedestal. This sequence is continued until all of thepieces have been located on the appropriate receiver pedestals or untiltime has elapsed as indicated by the sand glass timer T. As indicated,by appropriate numbering or color coding, a particular object peg can bedesignated for a particular receiver pedestal, making the game a littlemore difficult. The relationship of wands 24 and and, of course, wands30 and 34 can be adjusted by inserting the oarlocks 22 and 32 in any oneof the holes provided along the length of the wands 20 or 30 toaccommodate a different sized hand of child or adult.

In a further variation of the game, the object pegs are located on thereceiver pedestals with the exception of one vacant pedestal, whereuponthe object pegs are moved in turn; starting with one and moving it tothe vacant post, followed by a movement of the second piece over to thepost just vacated by the first moved; etc. This sequence can be timedand times compared competitively by differing and competing player.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a further constructional variant embodiment ofthe present invention, principally in the claw device and the objectpeg. In FIG. 6, the object peg S0 is composed of a stud or peg 511 andan upper disk 52 whose plane is normal to the axis of the stud 51 andhas projecting from its upper surface an eye or hook 53. The catchingclaw is identified by the reference numeral 54 and is composed of ashank Ma having at one end a formed eye 54b for sliding engagement withthe thread or string and at its opposite end three formed legs 54cprojecting laterally as shown and terminating in a hook upturn 54d. Inthis embodiment, the manipulation of the catching claw 54 is to engagethe leg 54c of claw 54 with the eye or hook 53 of object piece 50 as itlies on its side position much like the object pieces 45.

Looking at FIGS. 6 and 7 and visualizing mentally their incorporationinto the structure as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one may readilyenvision that the manipulation of these components would be accomplishedin the same manner, particularly the manipulation of the wands,.toaccomplish essentially the same end, an engagement of the object pieceby the hooks 54c permitting the object piece to be lifted from the area44 and carefully located onto the receiver studs 47.

In accordance with a variant embodiment of play, two players would playat the same time. In this manner of play, the cornerpost 17 would belocated in the hole instead of the timer T such that the cornerpostswould be located diagonally across from each .other on the board. Withthis positioning, two players would each use their left hands tocooperatively manipulate the wands, the string and the claw in theappropriate manner to accomplish the objects of the game as describedhereinabove. In still another version, the posts would be diagonallyopposed in the opposite corners, permitting two players tosimultaneously use their right hands to cooperatively manipulate theparts in order to play the game.

It will be appreciated that in place of the string or thread 40, therecould be employed a strut slidably connecting with the terminal ends ofeach of the wands; the strut featuring a depending claw device.

As a further variant embodiment, each terminal end of the wands 24 and34 could feature a universal ball socket arrangement from which areextended stiff to semi-flexible rod members; which members would beuniversally and pivotably joined together at their terminal ends andhaving a depending claw device suspended therefrom.

The various parts which go to make up the game as described hereinabovemay be made of essentially any material of construction. Generally, thewands, posts, boards and pegs can be made of either wood or a reasonablytough plastic material. The oarlocks can be made of metal or plastic andthe object pegs can easily and conveniently be made of plastic. Thethread is desirably constructed of woven nylon and provided with a slicksurface in order that the catching device slides easily along its lengthduring the manipulation of the wands and the appropriate consequentmovement of the string or thread as suspended between the endextremities of the wands. It will be appreciated that the finger holdelements 34c on the bottom region of wand 34 could be formed in any oneof a variety of configurations as to permit or assist grasping by theforefinger and second finger. The playing board 11 is essentially hollowas shown, excepting for support regions for the various posts and pegsand is provided with a snap-on plastic cover 11a, permitting the hollowinterior of the board to be used as a storage area for thevariouscomponents, namely, pegs, wands, etc.; all of which are removable fromthe surface of the playing board.

Familarity with the manipulation of the wands and as gained throughplaying including skill in engagement of the claw with the object pegswill suggest to most players a number of variations that may be adaptedfor competitive skill testing as between players. Furthermore, it willbe clear that object pegs and catching claw devices of variouscomplementary design may be conceived as substitutes for the object pegsand claw members disclosed and described herein without detracting fromor departing from the essential feature of the game apparatus of thepresent invention which is seen to reside in the employment of wandsmounted in universal fashion for finger manipulation and employed tomaneuver a pickup claw slidingly carried on a string suspended betweenthe wands to engage and move object pieces from one place to anotherwith time as the limiting gauge. Any variety of methods of scoring maybe employed. The time elapsed for the total number of object pieces tobe appropriately moved in a designed pattern may be the score criteriaor a given time may be set as the operator/players period in which toaccomplish as much as he can within that period. The game is immenselychallenging with time as the criteria and the delicate finger/thumbcoordination which is necessary in order to successfully maneuver theclaw device in relation to the object pieces. The game proves appealingand challenging to young and old. Experience establishes that operatorskill improves immensely and thus is of manifest educational advantagein terms of improving manual dexterity of the person who uses the gamefairly consistently or regularly.

Variations and, as well, modifications of structure or materials may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention unless to do so would be clearly violative of the scopeafforded by the language of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A game for testing and/or measuring the dexterity and coordination ofthe player, said game comprising:

1. a horizontal game board,

2. a first pair of wand members,

3. means for supporting said wands in elevated relationship to said gameboard and free to pivot and rotate about a point intermediate theirends,

4. a string or thread member connecting the end extremities of saidwands at one end outwardly from said point,

5. a pickup member slidably suspended on said string or thread and 6. atleast one game piece adapted to be randomly positioned on said gameboard, said pickup member and object piece being releasably engageableresponsive to proper manipulation of said wand members.

2. The game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting saidfirst pair of wands comprises a second pair of wand members pivotably,and rotatably mounted to said game board, each of said first pair ofwand members being releasably mounted in any one of a variety ofpositions along the length of one of said second pair of wand member.

3. The game as claimed in claim 1 which includes a target receiveradapted to receive said game piece responsive to proper manipulation ofsaid wand members.

4. The game as claimed in claim 3 which includes a plurality of gamepieces having projections and a plurality of target receiver pedestalshaving a recess adapted to receive said projections on said game pieces.

5. A game for testing and/or measuring the dexterity and coordination ofthe player, said game comprising:

1. a horizontal game board,

2. a pair of posts located in spaced upstanding relationship from saidboard,

. a first pair of wand members, one of each being mounted respectivelyin pivotable and rotatable relationship on each of said posts,

. a string or thread member connecting the end extremities of said wandsremote from said post mounting,

. a pickup member slidably suspended on said string or thread,

at least one object piece adapted to be randomly located on said gameboard and at least one upstanding receiver pedestal formed or mounted onsaid game board adapted to receive said object piece when the wands,thread and pickup member are appropriately manipulated by the player toeffect lifting or engagement ofthe obect piece by the pickup mem er andpositioning of said object piece into releasable positionment with thereceiver pedestal.

6. The game as claimed in claim 5 which includes a second pair of wandmembers pivotably, rotatably mounted one on each of said posts, each ofsaid first pair of wand members being pivotably, rotatably andreleasably mounted in any one of a variety of positions along the lengthof one of said second pair of wand members, said second wand memberseach including formed thumb engaging regions and said first wand memberseach including finger engaging means whereby dexterous synchronousthumb, forefinger and adjacent finger control of said wand extremitiescontrols the positioning and movement of the pickup member carried onsaid thread with respect to said game piece randomly positioned on saidgame board.

EDWARD M.FL11ITCHER,JR.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTKON Dated March 20,

Inventor(s) Howard M. Burns It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet "6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures" should read 10 Claims,7 Drawing Figures a Claim l,' column 7, line.

Claim 2, line 3?,

- members column 7,

Claim 5, column 8, 16,

line

- slidabl y' Claim 6, column 8, line 29, after "pivotably" the comma andinsert and Add the following new claims 7-10 7 The game as claimed inclaim 1 wherein member (5) is slidably suspended on said string 8. Thegame as claimed in claim 2 wherein member (5) is slidably suspended onsaid string 9. The game as claimed in claim 5 wherein member (5) isslidably suspended on said string The game as claimed in claim 6 whereinmember (5) is slidably suspended on said string Signed and sealed this26th day of March 197k.

(SEAL), Attest:

c MARSHALL Attesting Officer ORM PO-105O (10-69) cancel "member" after"member" cancel after pivotably" cancel and insert after "member" cancelcancel the pickup or thread.

said pickup or thread.

said pickup or thread said pickup or thread DANN Commissioner of PatentsUSCOMM-DC 6O376-P69 U. 5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE l9! 0-366-334,

1. A game for testing and/or measuring the dexterity and coordination ofthe player, said game comprising:
 1. a horizontal game board,
 2. a firstpair of wand members,
 3. means for supporting said wands in elevatedrelationship to said game board and free to pivot and rotate about apoint intermediate their ends,
 4. a string or thread member connectingthe end extremities of said wands at one end outwardly from said point,5. a pickup member slidably suspended on said string or thread and
 6. atleast one game piece adapted to be randomly positioned on said gameboard, said pickup member and object piece being releasably engageableresponsive to proper manipulation of said wand members.
 2. a pair ofposts located in spaced upstanding relationship from said board,
 2. afirst pair of wand members,
 2. The game as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid means for supporting said first pair of wands comprises a secondpair of wand members pivotably, and rotatably mounted to said gameboard, each of said first pair of wand members being releasably mountedin any one of a variety of positions along the length of one of saidsecond pair of wand member.
 3. The game as claimed in claim 1 whichincludes a target receiver adapted to receive said game piece responsiveto proper manipulation of said wand members.
 3. means for supportingsaid wands in elevated relationship to said game board and free to pivotand rotate about a point intermediate their ends,
 3. a first pair ofwand members, one of each being mounted respectively in pivotable androtatable relationship on each of said posTs,
 4. a string or threadmember connecting the end extremities of said wands remote from saidpost mounting,
 4. The game as claimed in claim 3 which includes aplurality of game pieces having projections and a plurality of targetreceiver pedestals having a recess adapted to receive said projectionson said game pieces.
 4. a string or thread member connecting the endextremities of said wands at one end outwardly from said point,
 5. apickup member slidably suspended on said string or thread and
 5. apickup member slidably suspended on said string or thread,
 5. A game fortesting and/or measuring the dexterity and coordination of the player,said game comprising:
 6. at least one object piece adapted to berandomly located on said game board and
 6. at least one game pieceadapted to be randomly positioned on said game board, said pickup memberand object piece being releasably engageable responsive to propermanipulation of said wand members.
 6. The game as claimed in claim 5which includes a second pair of wand members pivotably, rotatablymounted one on each of said posts, each of said first pair of wandmembers being pivotably, rotatably and releasably mounted in any one ofa variety of positions along the length of one of said second pair ofwand members, said second wand members each including formed thumbengaging regions and said first wand members each including fingerengaging means whereby dexterous synchronous thumb, forefinger andadjacent finger control of said wand extremities controls thepositioning and movement of the pickup member carried on said threadwith respect to said game piece randomly positioned on said game board.7. at least one upstanding receiver pedestal formed or mounted on saidgame board adapted to receive said object piece when the wands, threadand pickup member are appropriately manipulated by the player to effectlifting or engagement of the object piece by the pickup member andpositioning of said object piece into releasable positionment with thereceiver pedestal.